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In Catholic (both Latin Rite and Eastern Catholic), Eastern Orthodox, Coptic and Anglican abbeys, the mode of election, position, rights, and authority of an abbess correspond generally with those of an abbot. The office is elective, the choice being by the secret votes of the nuns belonging to the community. Like an abbot, an abbess is solemnly admitted to her office by formal blessing, conferred by the bishop in whose territory the monastery is located, or by an abbot or another bishop with appropriate permission. Unlike the abbot, the abbess receives only the ring and a copy of the rule of the order. She does not receive a mitre nor is given a crosier as part of the ceremony; however, by ancient tradition, she may carry a crosier when leading her community. The abbess also traditionally adds a pectoral cross to her habit as a symbol of office.

Abbesses are, like abbots, major superiors according to canon law. They receive the vows of the nuns of the abbey and have full authority in its administration. As they do not receive Holy Orders in the Catholic, Orthodox and Oriental Churches they do not possess certain powers conferred upon abbots, nor they do not exercise authority over territories outside of their monastery.

Historically, in some Celtic monasteries abbesses presided over joint-houses of monks and nuns, the most famous example being St. Brigid's leadership in the founding of the monastery at Kildare in Ireland. This custom accompanied Celtic monastic missions to France, Spain, and even to Rome itself. In 1115, Robert, the founder of Fontevraud Abbey near Chinon and Saumur, France, committed the government of the whole order, men as well as women, to a female superior.

In the Lutheran Church the title of abbess (Äbtissin) has in some cases (e.g. Itzehoe) survived to designate the heads of abbeys which since the Protestant Reformation have continued as Stifte,. These are collegiate foundations, which provide a home and an income for unmarried ladies, generally of noble birth, called canonesses (Kanonissinen) or more usually Stiftsdamen. The office of abbess is of considerable social dignity, and in the past, was sometimes filled by princesses of the reigning houses. Until the dissolution of Holy Roman Empire and mediatization of smaller imperial fiefs by Napoleon, the evangelical Abbess of Quedlinburg was also per officio the head of that reichsunmittelbar state. The last such ruling abbess was Sofia Albertina, Princess of Sweden.

In the Catholic Church (both the Latin Rite and Eastern Catholic), Eastern Orthodox, Coptic and Anglican abbeys, the mode of election, position, rights, and authority of an abbess correspond generally with those of an abbot. The office is elective, the choice being by the secret votes of the nuns belonging to the community. Like an abbot, an abbess is solemnly admitted to her office by formal blessing, conferred by the bishop in whose territory the monastery is located, or by an abbot or another bishop with appropriate permission. Unlike the abbot, the abbess receives only the ring and a copy of the rule of the order. She does not receive a mitre nor is given a crosier as part of the ceremony; however, by ancient tradition, she may carry a crosier when leading her community. The abbess also traditionally adds a pectoral cross to her habit as a symbol of office.

Abbesses are, like abbots, major superiors according to canon law. They receive the vows of the nuns of the abbey and have full authority in its administration. As they do not receive Holy Orders in the Catholic, Orthodox and Oriental Churches they do not possess certain powers conferred upon abbots, nor do they exercise authority over territories outside of their monastery.

Historically, in some Celtic monasteries abbesses presided over joint-houses of monks and nuns, the most famous example being Saint Brigid of Kildare's leadership in the founding of the monastery at Kildare in Ireland. This custom accompanied Celtic monastic missions to France, Spain, and even to Rome itself. In 1115, Robert, the founder of Fontevraud Abbey near Chinon and Saumur, France, committed the government of the whole order, men as well as women, to a female superior.

In Lutheran churches the title of abbess (Äbtissin) has in some cases (e.g. Itzehoe) survived to designate the heads of abbeys which since the Protestant Reformation have continued as Stifte. These are collegiate foundations, which provide a home and an income for unmarried ladies, generally of noble birth, called canonesses (Kanonissinen) or more usually Stiftsdamen. The office of abbess is of considerable social dignity, and in the past, was sometimes filled by princesses of the reigning houses. Until the dissolution of Holy Roman Empire and mediatization of smaller imperial fiefs by Napoleon, the evangelical Abbess of Quedlinburg was also per officio the head of that reichsunmittelbar state. The last such ruling abbess was Sofia Albertina, Princess of Sweden.

From LoveToKnow 1911

ABBESS (Lat. abbatissa, fem. form of
abbas, abbot), the female superior of an abbey or convent of nuns. The mode of election,
position, rights and authority of an abbess correspond generally
with those of an abbot. The office is elective, the choice being by
the secret votes of the sisters from their own body. The abbess is
solemnly admitted to her office by episcopal benediction, together with the conferring
of a staff and pectoral
cross, and holds for life, though liable to be deprived for
misconduct. The council of Trent fixed the qualifying
age at forty, with eight years of profession. Abbesses have a right
to demand absolute obedience of their nuns, over whom they exercise
discipline, extending even to the power of expulsion, subject, however, to the bishop. As a female an abbess is
incapable of performing the spiritual functions of the priesthood
belonging to an abbot. She cannot ordain, confer the veil, nor excommunicate. In England abbesses attended
ecclesiastical councils, e.g. that of Becanfield in 694,
where they signed before the presbyters.

By Celtic usage abbesses presided over joint-houses of monks and nuns. This custom
accompanied Celtic monastic missions to France and Spain, and even to Rome itself. At a later period, A.D. 1115, Robert, the founder of
Fontevraud, committed the government of the whole order, men as
well as women, to a female superior.

In the [[German Evangelical Synod Of North America|German Evangelical church]] the
title of abbess (Aebtissin) has in some cases - e.g. Itzehoe - survived to designate
the heads of abbeys which since the Reformation have continued as
Stifle, i.e. collegiate foundations, which provide a home
and an income for unmarried ladies, generally of noble birth,
called canonesses (Kanonissinen) or more usually
Stiftsdamen. This office of abbess is of considerable
social dignity, and is sometimes filled by princesses of the
reigning houses.